Dependent Eligibility
Definitions and Required Documents
Type of
Dependent
Definition
Required Document(s) for Verification
Spouse
A person to whom the participant is legally married
You will need to provide a document proving marital relationship AND a document proving
joint ownership
Proof of Marital Relationship
• Government issued marriage certificate or license
• Naturalization papers indicating marital status
Proof of Joint Ownership
• Bank Statement issued within the last six months with both names; or
• Mortgage Statement issued within the last six months with both names; or
• Residential Lease Agreement within the current terms with both names; or
• Credit Card Statement issued within the last six months with both names; or
• Property Tax Statement issued within the last 12 months with both names; or
• The first page of most recent Federal Tax Return filed showing “married filing jointly” (if
married filing separately, submit page 1 of both returns) or form 8879 (electronic filing)
If just married in the previous 12 months, only a marriage certificate is needed for
proof of eligibility
Natural (biological)
child under age 26
A natural (biological) child
The child’s birth certificate; or
Certificate of Report of Birth (DS-1350); or
Consular Report of Birth Abroad of a Citizen of the United States of America (FS-240); or
Certification of Birth Abroad (FS-545)
Adopted child under A child the participant has adopted or is in the
age 26
process of legally adopting
Court documents signed by a judge showing that the participant has adopted the child; or
International adoption papers from country of adoption; or
Papers from the adoption agency showing intent to adopt
Child for whom the
participant is legal
guardian
A child for whom the participant is the legal
guardian
Any legal document that establishes guardianship
Stepchild under
age 26
A stepchild
Verification of marriage between employee and spouse (as outlined above) and birth
certificate of the child showing the relationship to the spouse; or
Any legal document that establishes relationship between the stepchild and the spouse or
the member
Child for whom the
plan has received a
qualified medical
child support order
A child who is named as an alternate recipient with
respect to the participant under a qualified medical
child support order (QMCSO)
Disabled dependent A dependent of any age (who falls under one of the
categories previously listed) and due to a mental
or physical disability, is unable to earn a living. The
dependent’s disability must have begun before age
26 and while covered under a state-sponsored plan.
Court documents signed by a judge; or
Medical support orders issued by a state agency
Documentation will be provided by the insurance carrier at the time incapacitation is
determined
Never send original documents. Please mark out or black out any social security numbers and any personal
financial information on the copies of your documents BEFORE you return them.
Revised 1/2016